Internet Explorer gains record browser share

IE8 marketing campaign credited for surge

Internet Explorer's share of the web browser market increased by a record amount in June, according to web analytics firm Net Applications.

Microsoft’s browser accounted for 60.3% of all browsers used worldwide at the end of the month, a 0.6% rise that eclipses the 0.3% increase Net Applications recorded in May 2009.

The analytics firm's executive vice president, Vince Vizzaccaro, said Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 marketing campaign, which touted the browser's security features, as well as a surge in Windows PC sales, were behind the increase.

"PC sales are at a record-setting pace," Vizzaccaro told Computerworld US, "and with Windows regaining some market share, it makes sense that IE does as well."

According to Net Applications' data, Firefox’s share dropped 0.5% to 23.8%, while the Norwegian browser Opera slipped 0.2% to 2.3%.

Google Chrome ended the month with 7.2% of the market, an increase of 0.2%, while Apple's Safari climbed almost 0.1% to 4.9%.